Eric becomes Provincial Grand Almoner

18th May 2017

Eric Hart was appointed and invested as the Provincial Grand Almoner at Provincial Grand Lodge. He succeeds Ernie Greenhalgh who has retired from the office in order to undertake other national responsibilities within the Masonic care system. Eric will also shortly assume the same role as PrGAlm within Provincial Grand Chapter.

Eric Hart – Provincial Grand Almoner.

Eric brings many skills to this important office as he has demonstrated a high level of commitment to his responsibilities throughout his life. He started his professional career in September 1965 as an apprentice radio and television engineer, before moving to British Nuclear Fuels in December 1966 to take employment as an instrument mechanic where he was responsible for the safe repair, maintenance and installation of various instruments in a chemical processing plant.

This appointment was quickly followed by him acting as an apprentice training instructor between 1969 and 1978, followed by his promotion to adult and apprentice training instructor soon after. In this role, Eric was involved in the design and implementation of courses, for both adults and apprentices in the field of industrial measurement and control; teaching safe practices and ‘sound instructional techniques’ in the measurement of flow, pressure, level and speed. In this capacity, he also worked as a part time lecturer in the field of measurement and control at the Bolton Institute of Technology.

In 1978 Eric became the company welfare officer, a post he held until 2002, providing all employees, retired employees and their families with a comprehensive and confidential welfare, counselling and advisory services. He was also the representative to the BNFL Benevolent Fund and death benefit insurance scheme on behalf of all the employees. He also provided close liaison with the company superannuation office and the human resources department, the company medical department, all voluntary services and charities together with central and local government departments as well as local and national charities.

Following early retirement from British Nuclear Fuels in 2002, Eric became the manager of a medical practice at Preston Medical Consultants Limited until 2015. He still works part time for 15 hours per week as general manager of Culcheth Sports Club, near Warrington.

Eric has many hobbies including gardening, ball room dancing and he still referees local football matches. He was, until September 2015 the Chairman of the Disciplinary Committee at the Lancashire FA as well as being the Chairman of the Referees committee. He is also a past director of the Lancashire Football Association and a National Tutor for the Football Association. In January 1998 Eric was awarded the MBE for his services to the community and football in Lancashire.

Eric is currently a member of Leyland Hesketh Lodge No 986, the secretary of the Phoenix Lodge of Installed Masters No 9206 and a past almoner of Leyland Chapter No 4249. He is also almoner of other Masonic Orders and was until recently, the Local Care Office for the Leyland Group, as well as Group Care Officer and Administrator for both the Chorley and Leyland Groups.

Speaking after his investiture, Eric paid tribute to his predecessor Ernie Greenhalgh and was expansive in his praise of the wonderful, effective and efficient care system that was now in place in West Lancashire. He said that he looked forward to working alongside his colleagues in both the MCF and WLFC and ensuring that the Province continued to provide a class leading level of care for Masons, their partners and dependants.